Rodeo entertains area crowd

September 14, 2003|By JENNIFER THOMAS, Daily American Staff Writer

MEYERSDALE - In the center of the arena, a rodeo clown sporting fluorescent orange hair taunted the audience.

To the delight of parents and children alike, his golfing prowess and firefighting abilities took center stage. While "Scooter" momentarily grabbed attention, behind the scenes livestock and riders prepared for upcoming performances.

From barrel riding and team roping to daredevil bullriders, this weekend's nationally sanctioned rodeo hosted by the Friedens Volunteer Fire Department offered a type of entertainment seldom found in Pennsylvania and more frequently found on television sets.

"These people really go out of their way to put on a good show," said assistant chief Mike Zambanini. "The potential's here to have a great fundraiser."

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But as beautiful weather and some of the best rodeo competitors graced the fairgrounds, organizers were disappointed as the stands failed to fill.

"I just think the area people missed out on a great opportunity," said Zambanini.

"I think we're all a little disappointed," said 2nd assistant chief Alan Baumgardner. "We were hoping for a better crowd than we got."

The low turnout was discouraging and he is unsure why more people didn't give the event a chance.

"Price-wise it wasn't any more expensive to come here as opposed to going to the movies or somewhere else."

He said the rodeo is good, clean family fun for all ages.

As part of the 2003 Buckle Series and Iron Man Challenge sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo and Cowboys Association, the event had a national appeal to riders, drawing 80 riders to Somerset County.

"They all enjoyed coming here and they'd like to come back," he said.

Zambanini said the PRCA would like Somerset County to be a future site for rodeos.

"They're great people to work with," he said. "They like the area. They want to be in the area."

He said it has potential to grow with community support.

"I think if its something we can get established… I think it's something that can be pretty big for the area."

Zambanini said there was a strong showing of support through local businesses and other fire departments.

"Everybody we asked for help was more than generous," he said. "It wasn't just the Friedens Rodeo… We had a lot of help from other fire departments pitching in to pull it off."

And while Baumgardner isn't ruling out another try at making the fundraiser an annual event, he needs to know Somerset County is interested.

"If we would try it again we'd like to see more support out of the community," said Baumgardner.

Now is the time for people to let the department know their thoughts on hosting the event.

"I don't know if there's interest for it in Somerset County or not," said Zambanini. "We'll have to discuss it and see where it's going to go from here."

One advantage of the rodeo is it gives the department a chance to try something new in the constant fundraising battle. Instead of just asking for money, this is a chance to share an afternoon of entertainment while raising the same funds.

"We thought we'd try something new," said Zambanini.

The magnitude of the event may have been misunderstood this year.

"People probably thought it was probably some little rinky dink thing," said Zambanini.